Zest Quest Asia crowned 2018 winner

Winning starter

14/02/2018 - 09:04

Zest Quest Asia crowned the University of West London this year’s winner on Tuesday (12 February), at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held at Hilton Heathrow T5.

Following that day’s final cook-off, which saw West London go head-to-head with Colchester Institute, North Hertfordshire College, Sheffield Hallam University, The Sheffield College, and Westminster Kingsway College, the London-based university took home a seven-day “culinary and cultural journey” to Hanoi (Vietnam).

Having impressed judges with their Sri Lankan-inspired three-course meal and “insight and knowledge of Sri Lankan cuisine,” the three-man team’s dishes comprised: lamb rolls with apple ketchup and a spicy dressing; poussin and cardamom leaves crusted lamb for main and a Sri Lankan-inspired pear tart tatin to finish.

Other awardees were:

Glengoyne’s Dish of the Day Award – University of West London

Chefi’s Least Food Wasted Award – Sheffield Hallam University

Tilda’s Award for Best use of Rice – The Sheffield College

Regale’s Award for Best Presented Menu – Sheffield Hallam University

The Koppertcress Award for Best Use of Living Ingredient– Colchester Institute

Designed to “address the gaps in skills and knowledge of classical Asian cuisine and to stimulate interest in Asian cookery,” the competition was founded by chefs Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala in 2013, and has now “found firm supporters in the hospitality industry.”

With a panel of judges including TV chef Ching He Huang; chairman of judges, Andrew Bennett; founders Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala of Café Spice Namaste; Steve Munkley of the Royal Garden Hotel; Clive Roberts of Master Chefs of Great Britain, and Murray Chapman of Passion to Inspire, the dinner also saw Andrew Wong, chef patron of Michelin-starred restaurant, A.Wong, take to the stage to ”cite the many myths behind Chinese cuisine.”

Cyrus said: “I am touched and truly overwhelmed by the support that our friends in industry and beyond have shown to Zest Quest Asia this year. We cannot thank them enough.

“What’s more, my fellow judges and I have been more impressed than ever at the standard and drive of the competitors. Zest Quest Asia, which is rigorous to begin with, seems to attract those who want to win something big, and there are few things that are more important to our industry today than the future of Asian cuisine.

“Congratulations to University of West London and all the other winners and participants.”